Alvarado Elementary School Information

Alvarado Elementary School is part of the APS Outdoor Learning Iniative. The Outdoor Learning Team’s mission is to enhance and transform learning by integrating outdoor and place-based education into APS schools. We strive to connect students with nature, their local environment, and community through hands-on, experiential learning. By fostering critical thinking, problem-solving, and a deeper understanding of the natural world, we aim to inspire responsibility, belonging, and a lifelong connection to the world around them.

In addition to weekly classes in music, visual arts, STEAM, library, and PE, students at Alvarado have the unique opportunity to participate in an hour long nature class weekly with our dedicated teacher, Ms. Laura.  In this class, students learn about the Albuquerque ecosystem and the Bosque in which our school is located; build and tend to a variety of gardens, including a plot in the community garden at the Los Poblanos open space behind the school; learn about culturally specific practices such as irrigation with acequias and planting & harvesting the Three Sisters; take monthly walking field trips to the Larry P. Abraham Agri-Nature Center for lessons in their Agriculture Program; integrate science, social studies, math, and language arts into real-life outdoor learning; and countless other enriching learning activities.

The dual language education program at Alvarado is a language enriched K-5 program which develops bilingualism and biliteracy in both English and Spanish. Classrooms consist of native Spanish and English speakers so students draw from the linguistic wealth each possesses. The program aims to to empower students as they become, bilingual, bi-literate and bicultural. The program has a goal to provide equal access to educational excellence while promoting linguistic and cultural pride, self-confidence and happy, productive world citizens.  Alvarado has one Spanish classroom per grade level.

Alvarado Elementary School is part of the APS Creative Campus program in partnership with the ABQ Arts Hub.  Each year, artists from the community visit school to complete art projects with students and provide professional development for staff.  Past projects have included:

• Creatures of the Bosque Block Prints

• The Music of Math and the Science of Sound

• Deconstructive Engineering through Clothing Design

• Journal Making

• Dance & Fitness through Troubadour Beat Lab

• Mini Comics

• 3D Book Art: Transforming Stories into Sculpture

• Songwriting & Performance